Deuteronomy 34:5 - Meaning and Application

Here is the death of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5). Moses, the servant of the Lord, died. God had told him that he must not cross the Jordan, and though he had once prayed earnestly for that sentence to be changed, God’s answer was enough for him. After that, he said no more about it (Deuteronomy 3:26). In the same way, our blessed Savior prayed that the cup might pass from him, yet when it could not, he submitted, saying, "Father, your will be done."

Moses had every reason to want a little more life in this world. He was old, but he had not yet reached the age his ancestors had lived. His father Amram lived 137 years, his grandfather Kohath 133, and his great-grandfather Levi 137 (Exodus 6:16-20). Moses himself was only 120, and his life had served God more than theirs did. Israel also could hardly spare him then. His leadership and his close walk with God would have been a great help to them as they conquered Canaan, just as Joshua’s courage would be. It was also hard for Moses personally, after all the hard work of the wilderness, to be kept from enjoying the blessings of Canaan. He had borne the burden and heat of the day, yet he had to leave the honor of finishing the work to another, not even to his son, but to his servant, who would enter into his labor. That was not easy for human nature.

Still, Moses was very meek. Since God had ordered it, he yielded gladly. He is called here the servant of the Lord, not only because he was a good man, for all God’s people are his servants, but because he was especially useful. He had served God’s purpose in bringing Israel out of Egypt and leading them through the wilderness. It was a greater honor to be the Lord’s servant than to be king in Jeshurun. Yet he died. Neither his godliness nor his usefulness kept death away. God’s servants must die so they can rest from their work, receive their reward, and make room for others. When they are taken from earth, they go on serving him better, day and night in his temple.

He died in the land of Moab, short of Canaan, while both he and the people were still unsettled and had not yet entered their rest. In the heavenly Canaan there will be no more death. He died according to the word of the Lord, literally, "at the mouth of the Lord." The Jews say this means he died with a kiss from God’s mouth. No doubt his death was very gentle, with no harsh struggle, and he tasted God’s love in a special way. But the main point is that he died in full obedience to God’s will. The servants of the Lord, after finishing all their other work, must at last die in obedience to their Master, and be willing to go home whenever he calls them (Acts 21:13).

His burial follows (Deuteronomy 34:6). Some Jews wrongly claimed that Moses was taken to heaven like Elijah, but the text plainly says that he died and was buried. Even so, it is likely that he was later raised to meet Elijah and honor Christ at the transfiguration. God himself buried Moses, likely through the ministry of angels, so that this private funeral was still glorious. God cares for the bodies of his servants. Their death is precious to him, and so is their dust. Not a grain of it will be lost, because his covenant with them will not fail.

When Moses died, God buried him. When Christ died, God raised him, because the law of Moses was to come to an end, but the gospel of Christ was not. Believers die to the law so they may belong to another, to the One who was raised from the dead (Romans 7:4). It may even be that Michael, meaning Christ as some think, buried Moses, since by Christ the Mosaic ordinances were removed, nailed to the cross and buried with him (Colossians 2:14).

Moses was buried in a valley opposite Beth-peor. The angels who buried him could easily have carried him across the Jordan and laid him with the patriarchs in the cave of Machpelah, but we should not worry too much about where our bodies are buried. If the soul rests with God, it does not matter much where the body lies. One Chaldee paraphrast says he was buried opposite Beth-peor so that whenever Baal-peor boasted of Israel being joined to him, Moses’ grave across from his temple would stand against that claim.

The exact place was not made known, likely so the Israelites, who were so prone to idolatry, would not have turned Moses’ body into an object of worship. Scripture does not record them worshiping relics, and perhaps this is why. They were kept from worshiping Moses, and so were spared that shame in other forms. Some Jewish writers say the body was hidden so necromancers, people who try to consult the dead, could not disturb him, as the witch of Endor disturbed Samuel. God would not allow the name and memory of his servant Moses to be abused. Many think this is the dispute between Michael and the devil about Moses’ body mentioned in Jude 1:9. The devil wanted the place known so it could become a snare to the people, and Michael would not allow it. Those who want to give divine honor to relics of dead saints stand with the devil against Michael, our prince.

His age is also noted (Deuteronomy 34:7). His life was prolonged to old age, and he lived 120 years. That was far below the ages of the patriarchs, but still much longer than most people of his time, since the normal lifespan had recently been reduced to seventy (Psalm 90:10). Moses’ life was divided into three periods of forty years each. The first forty years he lived as a courtier, at ease and in honor in Pharaoh’s court. The second forty years he lived as a poor, lonely shepherd in Midian. The third forty years he lived as a king in Jeshurun, in honor and power, but with much care and labor. The world we live in changes constantly and mixes blessing with trouble, but the world ahead is pure and unchanging.

It was also a good old age. His eye was not dim, as Isaac’s and Jacob’s were (Genesis 27:1; Genesis 48:10), and his natural strength had not failed. There was no decline in either his body or his mind. He could still speak, write, and walk as well as ever. His understanding was as clear and his memory as strong as before. Some Jewish writers say his face was not wrinkled, and others say he had not lost a tooth. Many of them take this to mean that the shining of his face (Exodus 34:30) remained with him to the end. This was the general reward for his faithful service, and especially the fruit of his great meekness, since that grace is good for health and strength as much as any other.

The moral law given by Moses still stands. For true believers, its power to condemn has been lifted, but its commands are still binding and will remain so until the end of the world. Its sharpness has not grown dull, for it still shows the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Its natural authority has not been reduced, and we are still under the law to Christ.

There was also a public mourning for Moses, as Deuteronomy 34:8 says. It is right to honor the memory of godly leaders with tears, because we loved them, valued them, and feel our loss when they are gone. Such grief also belongs with humble sorrow for the sins that led God to take them from us. Penitential tears fit well with this kind of mourning.

The mourners were all the children of Israel. They followed the customary mourning rites, whatever those were, though some among them may have been only pretending. Even so, we can believe that some who had once opposed Moses and his rule, perhaps even some who had wanted to stone him, now felt their loss deeply and sincerely mourned him after he was taken from them. They had not known how to value him while he was with them, but now they were taught by his removal, as Isaiah 29:24 says. We should remember that the loss of good people, especially good rulers, is a serious thing and should be deeply felt. Those are foolish who do not take it to heart.

Their mourning lasted thirty days. That was the full public display of grief, though we can suppose some people kept mourning in their hearts much longer. Still, the fact that the days of weeping for Moses came to an end reminds us that no matter how great our loss is, we must not give ourselves over to endless grief. The wound must be allowed to heal in time. If we hope to go to heaven with joy, why should we decide to go to the grave in sorrow?

The ceremonial law of Moses has died and been buried in the grave of Christ. But the Jews have not yet brought their mourning for it to an end.